November Notes: Reconnecting

I've been in a funk, a real downslide. October didn't end well as I had no motivation and was just plain miserable. I could feel it, deep in my bones and I knew I had to find a way out. That's the easy part, knowing what you need to do, recognizing you are nowhere near your best or even someone you like. The hard part is getting yourself built up to do something, I knew it was time to kick myself in the pants Friday when I was in tears and on the verge all day.

I had no empathy, compassion, energy, drive or motivation, tapped out. Joy in my usual things was hard to find, sitting on the couch or in bed watching tv was all I wanted to do. Not good, time to reset. What brings me joy? What makes me feel good, energizes me, helps me feel alive? Three things; Harlow, nature and my camera. Saturday I decided it was the day. I packed up my camera, dressed warm, grabbed a baggy with treats and kibble for Harlow and loaded us into the car for a small adventure.

It was crisp with rain threatening later in the day but, it was mid-afternoon and I knew we would be ok weather-wise. Twenty minutes up the road is a nature reserve/conservation area with trails so off we went. Harlow was sniffing up a storm, going between stopping and wanting to run ahead so happy and overwhelmed with all the new smells. It has started, my reconnecting. Wandering the trails, turning left, right, paved, dirt, stopping to listen, look, smell and snap pictures. I could feel myself letting go, breathing in the fall air, clearing the cobwebs....reconnecting.

All it took was two hours of wandering in a forest with my sidekick. A tired, content sidekick and I was feeling energized but more importantly centered, balanced and reconnected. Sunday I was up early (daylight savings time and a dog who doesn't know the difference) ready to accomplish some things  Laundry was done, some meal prepping as well as some baking and I felt good, was nice to be busy and busy doing things I enjoyed.  A nice hot shower later in the evening and tucked into bed feeling good.

Ahhh, reset and reconnection complete.

Sunday Snaps

The Festival of Hawks was on this weekend after the storm and clean up last week. Unfortunately, Mother Nature still had her way as due to the heavy equipment used for cleaning up and the change in wind direction there weren't any hawks or hummingbirds to be caught, banded and released. I adopted a Merlin hawk anyway just to make a donation. Maybe next year I will get to help band and release.  On a happy note, I learned some new things, made a donation and Kingsport Environmental was there with a Great Horned Owl, Snowy Owl, Eurasian Eagle Owl, and a Harris Hawk so I got some good photos.

Great Horned Owl

Eurasian Eagle Owl

Snowy Owl

Harris Hawk

Since I was in the mood for taking pictures I subjected Harlow to a bit of dress-up.  She was a trooper, cookie bribes help quite a bit as well.  Here is my little chocolate Labracorn ♥

Lucky Labs Harlow Grace

Hard to believe the end of September is near, this month has flown by!!